John Drennan: TDs will be able to probe collapse of banks after all

Legal eagles give OK despite referendum defeat

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been told at a legal briefing that in spite of the defeat of the referendum on Dail inquiries they can conduct a full 'DIRT style' investigation into the role played by the banks and the previous government in Ireland's banking collapse.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has been told at a legal briefing that in spite of the defeat of the referendum on Dail inquiries they can conduct a full 'DIRT style' investigation into the role played by the banks and the previous government in Ireland's banking collapse.

The legal findings will be welcomed by the Government which had, in the wake of the defeat of the referendum, expressed regret over the consequences of the loss for its plans to institute an investigation into the banks.

In the wake of the defeat of the proposal it was believed a full inquiry was impossible. However, at a private legal briefing the PAC was told that, subject to the consent of the Government, it had the power to call and examine witnesses from the banks, the civil service and the political elite.

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